A community rugby team has ended its season after several players were injured, including some seriously, in a crash involving their team van in Selwyn on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Greendale Road and Clintons Road in Darfield just before 6pm after a two vehicle crash.

The Burnham Dunsandel Irwell Rugby Football Club confirmed the van involved was its club vehicle.

BDI Division 2 coach Steve Devereux said the team van was carrying a full load of players when it was hit by a car that did not give way on an open road.

“Several of our mates were injured and taken to hospital for treatment. We are incredibly grateful the situation was not worse, though a few of our lads now face a long road to recovery.”

Devereux said the team had made the tough decision to end its season.

“We finished the season strongly leading into the finals. The past 24 hours have been mentally draining for everyone across the club, but the messages of support we’ve received have meant a great deal to us all.

“Rugby is the game we love, but it’s the mateship that truly binds us together. We will regroup, we will heal, and we will come back stronger in 2027.”

Devereux said the team was sincerely grateful to first responders and the volunteer fire brigades who came to their aid.

“Their quick actions and support made a tremendous difference during an extremely difficult moment.”

The Leeston Rugby Football Club later said “As most of you will be aware our BDI Leeston Div 2 team were involved in a crash following the game at Kirwee yesterday.”

It added, “Our thoughts are with our brothers at BDI Rugby Football Club and the lads and families involved in the accident.”

The club said, “Together we will continue to support each other wherever that looks like.

“Rugby is more than just a sport on a Saturday and these guys are our brothers. We wish them all a very speedy recovery.”

St John said six ambulances and two critical care response units were sent to the crash.

Thirteen injured people were assessed at the scene, with 10 taken to Christchurch Hospital.

Two patients were in a critical condition, three were seriously injured, one had moderate injuries and four had minor injuries.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit was investigating the circumstances of the crash.